The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has issued a strong appeal to the Kazakh government, urging it to reinstate the accreditation of 16 journalists from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), just as the outlet prepares for an important appeal hearing. This call underscores growing international concern over media freedom in Kazakhstan, a nation often scrutinized for its press restrictions. CPJ’s Europe and Central Asia program coordinator, Gulnoza Said, expressed profound worry about the potential impact of the court’s decision on RFE/RL’s operations in the country, stating that the organization’s reporting plays a critical role in Kazakhstan’s media landscape.
RFE/RL’s predicament began when the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied accreditation, citing alleged law violations by the journalists who purportedly engaged in reporting while their applications were pending. RFE/RL countered, arguing that the ministry’s delay in processing applications within the two-month statutory window led to the situation, which the government then used to deny accreditation on legal grounds. According to the Law “On Mass Media,” foreign journalists must secure accreditation before engaging in journalistic activities in Kazakhstan. However, RFE/RL maintains that this restriction should not apply to its journalists with Kazakh citizenship. Details of this ongoing issue can be found here.
Moreover, Human Rights Watch has condemned the Ministry’s actions as a direct assault on independent media, arguing that Kazakhstan’s stance violates Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which protects the freedom of expression and the free exchange of information and ideas. This case represents another chapter in the troublesome history between the Kazakh authorities and independent media outlets, sparking widespread criticism from international watchdogs concerned about escalating efforts to stifle dissent and limit journalistic freedom.
For Kazakhstan, a country strategic in its geopolitical positioning between Russia and China, the treatment of media organizations such as RFE/RL impacts its international image. Continued scrutiny and pressure from international entities may yet influence the government’s handling of the appeal and its broader approach to press freedom. As the hearing looms, the outcome will be closely observed by media advocates and legal experts alike, reflecting broader global dynamics around media freedom and state control.